Posted by David Hamilton on December 31, 2010 at 12:20:08:
LEWIS LAZARE | llazare@suntimes.com
Last Modified: Dec 31, 2010 11:45AM
As the economy began to turn around a bit, the Chicago radio and television industry eased up on the relentless cost-cutting that prompted widespread upheaval in 2009, making 2010 a quieter year. Here are the 10 most notable developments.
Kevin Metheny exits
The WGN-AM (720) program director may have been the most despised — and polarizing — executive working in Chicago radio in recent times. Not so affectionately nicknamed “Pig Virus,” Metheny dismantled nearly the whole program lineup and talent roster at WGN — angering tens of thousands of loyal listeners. But Metheny was sent packing within days after his buddy, former Tribune Co. CEO Randy Michaels, departed WGN-AM’s parent Tribune Co.
Bill and Walter together again
There was speculation for months about whether WBBM-Channel 2 news director Jeff Kiernan would actually do it. But he finally did, and Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson — Chicago’s most iconic news anchor duo — are back on the job at the station where they became legends 30 years ago. The ratings for the 6 p.m. newscast they now front didn’t take off immediately. That could change.
Bob Sirott returns
After refusing to sign a revamped contract at WMAQ-Channel 5, Sirott made us wait a year to find out what he would do next. What he did was sign on in July at WFLD-Channel 32 as new co-anchor with Robin Robinson on the station’s hourlong late news. Sirott now wields considerable influence in the Channel 32 newsroom, but so far, it hasn’t translated into improved ratings for the last-place newscast.
Anna Davlantes and Corey McPherrin head to mornings
This was a surprise. Davlantes was pegged as a major player on WFLD’s late newscast. But afraid its early morning show was about to tank in the ratings, WFLD chose Davlantes and longtime sports anchor Corey McPherrin to shore up “Good Day, Chicago.” There has been a lot of tweaking of the show since the duo debuted in August. Davlantes insists she’s having a good time. But “Good Day, Chicago” ain’t quite the same as the flagship evening newscast.
Pat Cassidy heads home again
The veteran Chicago radio news anchor thought he could carve out a new career as a talk show host at WLS-AM (890). But things didn’t work out, and he and his WLS co-host, Mancow Muller, were cut loose. But Cassidy knows the radio news business like few others, and he soon wound up back at longtime home WBBM-AM (780).
Mike McConnell arrives at WGN-AM
He was all the rage in the radio talk world in Cincinnati but unknown to Chicago audiences. That didn’t stop Kevin Metheny from tapping McConnell as the next big thing at WGN. He went on the air in August with little fanfare. Some think McConnell is doing OK. Others resent that he’s an outsider. WGN general manager Tom Langmyer wants to give McConnell some time to see if he can grow into the job. In other words, the jury is still out.
Richard Roeper joins Roe Conn
Job No. 1 at WLS-AM for the past year has been getting Conn’s afternoon drive show back up in the ratings. Management has made progress, especially after installing Sun-Times columnist Roeper as the show’s co-host. Conn and Roeper have chemistry, and both are glib, which always helps.
J. Niice and Julian make their mark
It’s tough to win the loyalty of young adult radio listeners. But WBBM-FM’s (96.3) morning drive duo has done it. They’re at the top now in the Arbitron ratings in the 18- to 34-year-old demo. Their success forced competitor WKSC-FM (103.5) to dump morning star DreX in a five-year contract.
‘Monsters and Money in the Morning’ folds
It’s never easy to be a risk-taker. But WBBM-Channel 2 management took a big risk when it unveiled a very unconventional roundtable early morning show last February. The focus was on sports and business, but Chicagoans never warmed to the format — at least at 5 a.m. It was gone by September.
WLS-Channel 7 preps new morning show
Talk about taking risks. Channel 7 general manager Emily Barr opted to take a big one when she announced earlier this year WLS would produce a new live morning show to fill the 9 a.m. hour to be vacated by Oprah Winfrey when her talk show ends next September. Barr runs a hugely successful TV station that hasn’t known failure in quite a while. Creating a hit TV show from scratch is no snap. But Barr and her team just may have what it takes.